It’s hard to believe they could make cars fall apart so perfectly without the tech we have today.
How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)
11–20 of 109 posts
Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)
#12This is both engineering and art. Magnificent.
They didn’t just build cars to fall apart... they choreographed it like a performance
Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)
#13For those who don't know, Keaton was amazingly dedicated as a comedic stuntman - a silent era Jackie Chan (he was less popular after the silent era, but kept working until his death in the 60s). From Wikipedia: Garry Moore recalled, "I asked (Keaton) how he did all those falls, and he said, 'I'll show you.' He opened his jacket and he was all bruised. So that's how he did it—it hurt—but you had to care enough not to…
His dedication was truly next-level
Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)
#14I immediately assumed this article was about the French movie Le Corniaud (1965) in which a 2CV falls apart in 250 pieces in an accident—this scene specifically: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnLj5Xo4zBc&t=19s It became one of the most iconic scene of French comedy movies. To prepare the scene, the special effects engineer sawed off the car in 250 pieces, reattached every piece with hooks, and secured the hooks with "explosive bolts". At the right moment, the actor driving the car pushed a button to trigger the (tiny) explosives which made the car fall apart. Here is a French article about it: https://2cv-legende.com/expo-de-la-2cv-du-film-le-corniaud-a...
PS: the French wikipedia article on the movie has a picture of the explosive bolts they used: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Corniaud#L'accident_de_la_2...
Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)
#15This made me think of the scene in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang when Lionel Jeffries is captured and forced to convert a car into the titular phantasmagorical fuel-burning oracle. I was wondering just the other day how they achieved that effect.
Wonderful little read. Thanks!
Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)
#16For those who don't know, Keaton was amazingly dedicated as a comedic stuntman - a silent era Jackie Chan (he was less popular after the silent era, but kept working until his death in the 60s). From Wikipedia: Garry Moore recalled, "I asked (Keaton) how he did all those falls, and he said, 'I'll show you.' He opened his jacket and he was all bruised. So that's how he did it—it hurt—but you had to care enough not to…
Video of some of his better stunts: https://youtu.be/yOo_ZUVU_O8?si=1OEwZTk-d88ma2Zs
And a great Every Frame a Painting film essay on his work: https://youtu.be/UWEjxkkB8Xs?si=n-4ZNr_cMnYVKijs
He was truly an innovator that makes today’s “films of people talking to each other” look amateurish.
A few months ago the local theatre was playing Sherlock Jr. with a live band, and it was awesome. Try to see it in similar circumstances if possible.
Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)
#17I immediately assumed this article was about the French movie Le Corniaud (1965) in which a 2CV falls apart in 250 pieces in an accident—this scene specifically: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnLj5Xo4zBc&t=19s It became one of the most iconic scene of French comedy movies. To prepare the scene, the special effects engineer sawed off the car in 250 pieces, reattached every piece with hooks, and secured the hooks wit…
Super impressive ! Thanks for sharing.
Similar (albeit a bit heavier from the all paperwork) explosive bolts are user for stage separation in launch vehicles (rockets).
Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)
#18For those who don't know, Keaton was amazingly dedicated as a comedic stuntman - a silent era Jackie Chan (he was less popular after the silent era, but kept working until his death in the 60s). From Wikipedia: Garry Moore recalled, "I asked (Keaton) how he did all those falls, and he said, 'I'll show you.' He opened his jacket and he was all bruised. So that's how he did it—it hurt—but you had to care enough not to…
Here is the stunt where he broke his neck: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOo_ZUVU_O8&t=187s
Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)
#19I love Buster Keaton. For me he might be the greatest performer ever.
I actually watched the video linked in the comments with his greatest stunts and also one short movie together with my kids (5 and 8 years old) just the other day. They laughed their heads off!
So if you can hear me, Buster, wherever you are: Your films are holding up a hundred years later. That is quite a feat.
Re: How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)
#20I'm surprised there's no mention yet of the incredible scene from the 1980 film "The Blues Brothers".
https://youtu.be/QfN1GRqKXpM?si=-4Mwmipl5sCFtCWN
This practical effect took weeks to set up.
I can't find documentation specifying any special techniques used to create this version of the car. I recall reading an interview naming the builder who set it up, and how no one on set was allowed to touch it except the actors, John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd. Only one take. Can't find that interview now.